Kevin Durant’s KD IV was one of the most popular signature shoes in recent memory. The seemingly endless and limited edition colorways kept fans (and resellers) coming back again and again, and were worn by most for style rather than on-court performance.
Earlier this week, Nike officially unveiled this year’s edition, the KD V. And while we’ll have to wait to get a good look at these in person, the early vibe is that these ones are placing more of an emphasis on the performance side. From the release:
“Designed with premium materials and leading Nike performance technologies, the KD V represents the evolution of Kevin Durant and his style of play.
“Leo Chang, Nike Basketball Footwear Design Director, took Durant’s fifth signature shoe to new dimensions by combining inspirational cues drawn from Durant’s personal journey with symbolism from the number five – wrapped up in a premium performance package.”
“Championship drive takes an entire team, and the new KD V represents the roadmap I follow,” said Kevin Durant, 3-time scoring champion. “Leo did a great job on the shoe by combining the best technology with my journey and what the number five means to me.”
“With a refined design aesthetic matching Durant’s smooth and fluid style of play, the KD V integrates four leading technologies: 1) a Nike Zoom unit in the forefoot, 2) Nike Air unit in the heel 3) unibody Hyperfuse upper construction for superior fit 4) external heel counter to allow the foot to move while still providing support.
“The shoe’s hidden story comes from five players united on the court, five sides of a pentagon – a Washington D.C. landmark, five corners of a star, and Durant’s fifth Nike signature shoe. This tribute to five is brought to life on the shoe’s outsole pattern, midsole texture, tongue quilting with V’s, and heel counter details.
“The Maryland state flag inspires the color combination on the shoe’s Bright Crimson colorway – with the flag’s red, yellow and black remixed in bright and light tones – a fitting tribute to Durant’s home state.”
The design elements are certainly there, and we’re certain that there will be some unique colorways released as the season progresses. Check out the gallery below, and let us know if the improved performance features will tempt you into picking these up.
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